Happily Ever Christmas

~Thirty-Five~

"Steve! You're still here!"

While all the other kids rushed straight for the presents under the tree, my two ran across the room and threw themselves into Steve's arms.

"You're still here!" Olivia and Bradley were clearly both beside themselves with excitement.

Susan laughed as she shuffled into the room in her slippers and fuzzy bathrobe. "Wow. Your kids sure have taken to Mr. Coleman here in a short amount of time, haven't they?" She commented, then sent me a wink. "Sleep well down here, guys?"

I was still too shaken up to fully return her smile and she cocked her head of auburn hair at me, studying me now with some concern.

I simply shook my head, though, and tried harder to fake a smile. I also faked a big yawn just for good measure. "Coffee?" I suggested instead of answering.

"Right away! I assume all of the adults want some, aside from Emilia?"

Our cousin Emilia was pregnant and due any minute now.

Everyone concurred on coffee and I took my chance to escape up to my room and change into my clothes for the day.

It was so surreal, having everything back to normal.

The last 72 hours of my life was starting to feel like nothing more than a warm and fuzzy but already distant dream.

*~*~*~*

Christmas Day rolled on just as it normally would have, despite me being in a funk. My kids had gotten me adorable gifts this year; a homemade Christmas ornament of a reindeer from Bradley, and Olivia had made me a pair of dangly silver earrings which I put on right away.

"Hmm, there's no room down here." I murmured, trying to find a spot on the tree for Bradley's ornaments.

"There's a perfect spot right up here by the top." Steve pointed out, and I jumped when he suddenly appeared beside me.

I glanced up at him with lips thinned together. The spot he had indicated really was perfect, but it was too high up for me to reach.

He held out his hand for the ornament and I sighed and gave it to him.

He smirked at me, just a little, as he hung the little red reindeer just below the Christmas tree star.

Of course my family had all insisted that he stay for the day, and my grandma seemed determined that he stay for dinner again, just as I had suspected.

Steve didn't have anywhere else to be, after all, and once my family had learned that simple fact, it was all over for me. If I protested now I would seem like a total Grinch.

But it was killing me, having him here. Seeing him, hearing his voice as he chatted amicably with my family members, or the sound of his pleasant, warm laughter. Catching his scent when he moved by, or having him look at me that special way he did...and not being able to go to him and kiss him, right on his stupid, handsome mouth...to simply be held by him.

It was my only true Christmas wish this year.

Unfortunately, it had to remain a secret.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Apparently a "storm" is coming. Being that this is central Oregon, somehow I'm not too concerned and will still be driving around later delivering my awesome homemade fudge! The show must go on!

Wish me luck! And happy holidays!

Sounds like a great time to stay indoors with a good book ;)

HRH